Ethernet cable

Ethernet cable

Ethernet cable

Ethernet cable, commonly known as cat5e or cat 6 cable. Cat 5e (“enhanced”), is designed enabling speeds of up to 1000 Mbps – or “Gigabit Ethernet” as it’s more commonly known. In particular Cat 5e is the most common kind of cable you’ll find being sold. It is very much adequate for general use in the home. All four pairs in the cable are used for gigabit speeds, blue,orange,green and brown pairs. Cat 6 can in theory handle up to 10 gigabits per section – that’s 10,000 Mbps – at a maximum of around 37 meters in length. It is overkill for the home because you won’t find any consumer switches that support those speeds.

If you are building a new house and wanted something to connect each floor together with, perhaps consider Cat 6 for the sake of future-proofing, but otherwise don’t go out of your way to buy Cat 6 cabling. It is completely compatible with existing Cat 5e and Cat 5 devices. Physically, Cat 6 cabling has more twists in each pair, and has a plastic separator spine running through the center, reducing crosstalk and enabling the higher speeds. Cat 6a is a newer standard designed to support 10 Gbps over the full 100 meter length – Complete overkill for domestic use

Cable Testing

Professional data tester.

For instance, the picture above shows a professional data tester, a Fluke DTX1800. Even though this is the respected piece of equipment by all professional installers, not many installers have them. You need to make sure your cabling is verified correctly. In contrast to cheap amatuer testers, not only will this tester show the workings of the cabling, it verifies it to the standards expected of its use. Specifically you should always insist on your cabling being tested by an approved tester. Insist on a full report to prove its good, it costs enough to get it installed.

Although amatuer installers will use something like this below, labelled as a data tester it proves nothing about your cabling. It does not show any conditions on your cabling, no speed issues, no crosstalk problems, just flashing lights. Flashing lights may prove continuity – pointless after what you’ve paid to get the cabling installed. Why would you accept anything but the best. Dont be fooled as this being a test on your ethernet cabling Mainly electricians and IT techs use this amateurish piece of kit, a trained professional would never rely on something so cheap. Nor should you, if you’ve paid for a quality installation. Data installs should come with a minimum 15 year warranty in business locations.

Amatuer ethernet tester

Types of Ethernet cable

UTP

Unshielded Twisted Pair

The UTP cable consists of pairs of wires twisted together. This is one of the most basic methods used to help prevent electromagnetic interference.

UTP Ethernet Cable

STP/FTP

Shielded Twisted orFoiled Twisted Pair

STP and FTP offer an additional layer of protection with shielding (also called screening) wrapped around the individual twisted wires. This protects against EMI/FRI and crosstalk.

STP Ethernet Cable

S/UTP & F/UTP

Shielded/ Screened orFoiled UnshieldedTwisted Pair

This has an overall foil or braid screen encasing the 4 pairs of unshielded twisted pairs.

S/UTP Ethernet Cable

SFTP

Shielded and FoiledTwisted Pair

A combination of the two above, with foil shielding around the individual twisted wires and an overall screen which can sometimes be a flexible braid.This provides the maximum level of protection from interference and is found in the highest performance cables.